By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The people behind the INSIDE “PSYCHO” and INSIDE “THE EXORCIST” podcasts are preparing to launch a third immersive audio experience devoted to an enduring horror classic. We’ve got exclusive words with creator/host Mark Ramsey along with the trailer.
Podcast specialist Wondery officially launches INSIDE “JAWS,” a deep dive into Steven Spielberg’s landmark 1975 shark thriller, on June 20, and the first two episodes drop June 26; five more will debut once a week thereafter. The project tells the stories of the making of JAWS and the people behind the film, along with the true events (the 1916 New Jersey attacks, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis) that inspired it. The main focus is, of course, the young wunderkind director who steered the immensely troubled production into movie legend.
“I wanted to create a Steven Spielberg-esque story about Steven Spielberg,” Ramsey tells RUE MORGUE. “I view this as a limited TV series that happens to be audio. INSIDE ‘JAWS’ covers the loneliness and isolation of his early days, his enormous difficulties breaking in and actually making JAWS and the incredible success of the movie, contrasted with the dismissive treatment he received from his jealous Hollywood peers. I’ve even included a classic Steven Spielberg ending! I also go into some dramatic detail about the amazing yet tragic life of Robert Shaw and his tempestuous relationship with Richard Dreyfuss.
“We have tried to make it dramatic, frightening, funny and heartbreaking,” he continues, “all in the same kinds of proportions that made the original movie legendary. What I’m happiest about here is that there are not only scary moments, but also a lot of profound ones and some very amusing ones. George Lucas gets his head stuck in the shark’s mouth—which really happened; what’s not to like about that?”
The story of JAWS, of course, has been told in numerous documentaries before, and Ramsey stresses, “This is much more than an audio commentary; it’s the making of JAWS done like a dramatic audio series. I’ve tried to convey a more global message than simply retelling the JAWS tale. This is not THE SHARK IS STILL WORKING—which I loved. It’s really a story about what happens when you believe in yourself and have the talent to make something magical happen.” He also reveals that there will be a final bonus episode showcasing a one-hour interview with JAWS co-scripter Carl Gottlieb (pictured below).
For more on INSIDE “JAWS” and to check out the episodes once it launches, swim over to the official website.
